Trent Bridge

Fletcher stays positive ahead of Leicester trip

Featured News | 2nd June 2009

Luke Fletcher insists Notts Outlaws can still reach the Twenty20 Cup quarter-finals - so long as they win their next two away games against Leicestershire Foxes and Yorkshire Carnegie.

The 20-year-old is likely to have a crucial role to play with the new ball and so far has performed admirably in his debut season in the competition.

But if Notts are to claim the four points they need, their batting line-up will need to step up to the plate after losing early wickets in all their innings so far.

Fletcher said: “We’ll need to win the next two matches or it will be very tough to qualify. But if we do win those games, we’ll be right back in the hunt on the basis of how the group has gone so far.

“At this stage Lancashire look like they have first place sewn up, but the second spot is wide open. Not only would two wins give us four points, it would enable us to get into a rhythm and good habits.

“We all know we need more runs from our batsmen. Will Jefferson has been terrific down at five or six and we do bat a long way down. As soon as our top order begin to fire we will be very hard to beat.”

The 6ft 6in right-armer has established himself as a regular in the Notts line-up thanks to his economical bowling, and is enjoying the challenge of Twenty20.

He added: “It’s a completely different game to Championship cricket and I’m just trying to get used to the pace of it.

“You have to try and bowl it in different areas and cope with the pressure. With such a short and fast game, you get into some tight situations and try and keep focused on what you’re doing.

“But I’m really enjoying how the season is going for me - it’s been a great start.”

Director of Cricket Mick Newell has named an unchanged squad for the match at Grace Road.